Keishindo was founded in 1866 in Aichi Prefecture’s Chita Peninsula and has been making shrimp crackers for over 150 years. This was their Haru no Okashi bag of rice crackers with specific flavours to welcome spring.
The bag contained 8 crackers, arranged clockwise from the centre:
- Ebi Senbei: A seasonal cracker with a spring motif. It featured a mild ebi (shrimp) flavour, delicately sweet with noticeable rice undertones.
- Aburi-Yaki (Grilled Shrimp Paste): Created by grilling and oven-cooking shrimp paste, this cracker exhibited exceptional crispness and a profound shrimp flavour reminiscent of slow-cooked shrimp broth.
- Ebi Almond: Enriched with ground almonds, this variation boasted an extra crunchy texture and a pleasant nuttiness that enhanced the bold shrimp flavour.
- Ume Ebi Senbei: Infused with the fragrance of ume (Japanese plum), this cracker contributed a subtle fruitiness that complemented the shrimp flavour.
- Matcha Ebi Senbei: With a hint of vegetal notes, this cracker delivered an intriguing twist to the shrimp flavour.
- Isoyaki (Grilled Whole Shrimp): Crafted by marinating whole shrimp and grilling them while maintaining their original form, this variation offered an immensely crunchy mouthfeel. Despite some breakage, its bold, grilled shrimp taste was undeniable.
- Sakura Leaves: These leaves imparted a refreshing touch and a faint sweetness that harmonized with the ebi flavour.
- Sakuramochi: Crisp and subtly sweet with floral hints, this cracker evoked the flavour of sakuramochi, albeit without the fruitiness of ume.
Overall, this selection of ebi senbei proved to be exceptionally delectable, characterized by impeccable crispness and a pronounced shrimp profile. Their premium pricing was entirely justified.
This Keishindo Haru no Okashi contained 8 pieces. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Ōsaka, Japan in 2023.